Ben Kaplan

Ben uses his passion for volunteering to do good in the Jewish community--and to pass this value to the next generation.

He launched his involvement with American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee as a member of the Entwine Global Leaders Initiative cohort, a program that teaches young Jewish adults about the JDC and allows them to serve a two-year term on its board. He now serves as a full JDC board member and is a member of the JDC's disaster relief and international development team, and the Global Response and International Development Committee.

Ben co-founded Cycle for Suz, a charity that supports and builds awareness for breast and ovarian cancer. He has also been actively involved in Relay for Life and Bright Pink, as he is invested in the search for a cure for these diseases.

He and wife Kirby, both University of Michigan alums (Go Blue!), have two kids-Scarlett and Austin. The foursome now give back together-such as by serving meals to those in need at the JUF Uptown Cafe. 

AGE:
32

PRONOUNS:
he/him/his

PRIMARY GIG:
Vice President of Manufacturing and Marketing at Field Packaging Solutions

ON THE SIDE:
Board member of JDC, first with Entwine's Global Leaders Initiative and now a full board member. Actively pursuing an MBA at University of Chicago Booth.

SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT ME:
I am scuba certified and have completed dives in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans.

HOW YOU JEW IN CHICAGO:
My family belong to Beth El Synagogue in Highland Park, where we celebrate all our family's milestones. My daughter is a student in the preschool at Temple Gan Shalom and my son will be attending as well. Growing up with Shabbat as a cornerstone of my childhood, my wife and I celebrate shabbat nearly every Friday, either with our parents or with close friends. Passing on this tradition to my children is one of my greatest joys.

A JEW WHO INSPIRES YOU:
My great-grandfather Eli Field. He is the source of much of my family's philanthropy and his passion and determination for giving back, specifically to Jews in need and in his own community, regardless of his own needs, was truly inspiring. Much of this passion and determination also manifested in the way he did business, which is why I also look to him as a role model in my professional life as well.

YOUR BEST PIECE OF ADVICE:
Check your ego at the door. Everyone has something to offer to the conversation. Being right is not always important. Finding joy in the journey is equally important to the joy you find in the destination.